Producing equipment for wells



Dec. 12, 1939.

w. l.. CHURCH PRODUCING EQUIPMENT FOR WELLS Filed June 2'2, 195e 2sheets-sheet 1 Dec. l2, 1939.

w. L. CHURCH PRoUcING EQUIPMENT FOR wELLs Filed June 22, '1956 2Sheets-Sheet 2 Y 35 for production. Y sure valve closed and the washpipe in the p osi' 35 I Patented Dec. `.12, 1939 Y j v l Y Y UNITEDSTATES PATENT OFFICE' PRODUCING EQUIPMENT FOB WELLS Walter L. Church,Houston, Tex. Application June 22, 1936, Serial No. 8&463

11 Claims. (Cl. 166-15) This invention relates to producing equipmentdrawn from the well for any reason, as,Y for exfor wells. ample, when itis no longer necessary to prorate An object of the invention is toprovide prothe well audit is desirable to place a pump in the ducingequipment for wells particularly oil wells, well.

5 wherein the liquid ows under pressure from the With the above. andother objects in view the 5 well; and relates also to the method ofinstalling invention has particular relation to certain novel theequipment. features of construction, operation and arrange- In theproduction of oil from iiowing wells, it is ment of parts, an example OfWhich iS gillen in usually necessary to restrain the flow in order tothis specification Vand illustrated in the accoml Comply with prorationregulations. The ow Bullying drawings, Whel'ein' Y 1 0 of oil from thewell may be restricted by pro- Figure 1 shows a side view partly insection of viding a choke in the ow line or the well may the upper endof the apparatus as equipped for be permitted to iiow until the dailyallowable is lowering the tubing and showing the tubing produced andthen closed. In either event the therein. o 'i l5 casing or outer'string of pipe permanently set in Figure VV2 shows a 'side'view partlyin section l5 the well is subjected to high pressure, usually showingthe liner packer connected to the tubing from two thousand to threethousand ve hunand in collapsed position. L l dred pounds per squareinch for long periods of Figure 3 shows a :side viewY partly in sectiontime when production equipment now commonly showing the lower end ofthecasing with the used is employed. As a result the casing or outer linerand wash pille thel'en- Y string often'develops leaks at the couplingsand Figure 4 shows a fragmentaryside view partly inasmuch as the liquidflowing from the Well is in section of the screen beneath the casingusually leden with sand and grit, the passageways showing the wash pipetherein Y Y. through which the leaks occur are quickly en- Figure 5shows a side view partly in section larged, thus causing a loss of theoiland someillustrating the uPPelend efthe equipmetjas 25 timescompletely ruining the well. It is one of the installed forDIOdIICSiOD-Y Y .Y prime objects of this invention to provide equip-Figure 6 shows a1 Vverticalsectional view 0f a ment of the characterdescribed embodying a now type 0f seal employed. Y tubing within thecasing through which the oil Figure '7 shows a side viewpartlyinsectionof under pressure may' flow from the well, said Y the linerpacker in expanded .DUSOIT-alvld aS- 30 tubing being sealed or packed oifrom the casing SOCated parta-aud L j both at its upper and lower ends,whereby the Figure 8 ShOWS 8 Side View Partly in'ectif casing will berelieved of pressure of the liquid the lowerend of the casing .and linerand the after the well is once completed, and is equipped Screeneonllectedgto the lllel' With the bck'ples'-A It is another object ofthe invention to proyide tion it will occupy when theA tubing isanchored producing equipment of the character described in elevatedposition. Y 'Y Y wherein provision is made for reciprocating theReferring 110W mOre Particularly t0 theidlqW-i tubing in the well,meanwhile maintaining said ings wherein like numerals of referencedesignate 40 seals to relieve the casing of the well pressure. ItSimilar Darts in each 0f the figures. the numeral l 40 is desirable toreciprocate the tubing as specined, designatesV a well casing or outerstringY adaptedy that is, to adjust it so that its lower end will be tobe permanently Set in a Well bore and having Y submerged in the liquidin the/well the require the set shoe 2 on the lower end thereof. 5distance to obtain the best 011 gas ratio, Connected to the upper end ofthc casing] .by

Another object of the invention is to provide means of the coupling 3there S a tubular heed 4 45 l. in apparatus ofthe character described, aflow whose upper end is reduced in diameter forming Y Y valve assemblyin the tubing arranged to be manthe neck 5 which has the inside seat 6.1 Y Y ually closed from' the ground surface or to beau- Attached to theupper end of the neck 5 there' 3j tomatically closed in case ofincreased velocity is the valve casing l which is'controlled' by theV ofthe liquid flowing through the tubing. conventional gate valve operableby thehand Ylj It is a further object of the invention to prowheel 8whereby the upper end of the casing Y. vide production equipment of thecharacter demay be opened' or closed at will. l' scribed whereinprovision is made for detaching Beneath the seat 6 the head has the`outflow, Y the'tubing from the liner packer whereby the line 8, to beopened and closed by the control tubing and the appendants thereon maybe withvalve 9. Y Y

While lowering the liner, screen and tubing there is a packing bowl Ilattached to the upper end of the valve casing 1 and containing anannular resilient packer II whose lower end is provided with an annulargroove I2 forming the inner lip I3 to iit closely around the tubing andthe outer lip I4 to lit closely within the bowl. The packing I I isretained in place by an annular cap I5 which is screwed on to the upperend of the bowl III and which has an annular inwardly extended ilange I6which abuts the upper end of the packing. While the tubing is beinglowered it will be closely surrounded by this packing to prevent theescape of gas or oil from the casing and this gas or oil may be relievedthrough the hne I.

The numeral I1 designates the tubing through which the productionnormally ilows from the well. Attached to the lower end of this tubingthere is a bell shaped nipple I6 whose lower end is telescoped over theupper end of the wash pipe I9. On the upper end of this wash pipe thereis a tubular head 2li which has a splined connection with the nipple I3as shown in Figure 2.

The numeral 2| designates a tubular packer body whose upper end isprovided with an external coupling 22 which is screwed thereon andfwhose upper end has the internal, coarse, left hand threads 23 intowhich the lower end of the box member 24 of a tool joint is threaded.This box member has the internal coarse left hand threads 25 to receivethe pin 26 of the pin member 21 of said tool joint. This pin member isscrewed to the lower end of the nipple I6 and between the tool jointmembers 24, 26 there is an annular ratchet ring 28 which is mounted onthe pin 26 and which has upper and lower ratchet teeth as shown inFigure 2 to engage the opposing annular faces of the pin and box membersto prevent them from becoming too tightly screwed together. The washpipe extends downwardly through said tool joint and is surrounded by theupper and lower packing 29 and 3l located within the pin and box membersof the tool joint as a also shown in Figure 2.

Around the packer body 2| there is an expansible sleeve like packer 3lwhose upper and lower ends are suitably retained in place by the upperand lower wire wrapping 32, 33 or other suitable 6o means.

A tubular liner 34 has its upper end pinned to the lower end of thepacker body by means of suitable frangible pins as 35. v

The lower end of the packer body has an external coupling 36 screwedthereon and the upper Y u end of the liner is inwardly thickened formingan inside annular shoulder 31 adapted to rest on the coupling 36. A ring36 surrounds the packer body and rests on the upper end of the liner andthe expansible packer 3l is conned between this ring and the coupling 22above.

Attached to the lower end of the liner is a screen 3! of anyconventional type and the lower end of ,this screen' is equipped withthe conventional set shoe 46 having the transverse partition 4I anchoredtherein through which the tubular back pressure valve 42 is threaded.The lower end of this valve is closed and it is provided with the outletports 43. The upper end of the valve is formed with the polygonal socket44 to receive the correspondingly shaped lower end 45 of the wash pipeI9. A

When the apparatus is assembled for lowering into the well the valve 42is in its lower position with its outlet ports 43 beneath the partition4I- vdisconnect the pin member 21 of the tool joint and with the lowerend 45 of the wash pipe seated in the socket 44. 'Ihe tool jointsections 24, 21 are connected as shown in Figure 2 and the liner 34 andscreen 35 are suspended from the collar 36 on the packer body 2 I. Theassembly is attached 5 to the tubing I1 and lowered into the casing Iand thereafter the head 4 with the valve 1 and the packing assembly IIare installed and the assembly is gradually lowered as additionalsections of the tubing are added to the string until the screen lands onbottom. 'Ihe well is usually filled with drilling rluid when the screenis lowered and thereafter clean water is forced down through the tubingand wash pipe and out through the ports 43 and returns up between thetubing and casing, the drilling fluid being forced out through theoutlet line 8 until the screen is washed free of clogging material. Theweight of the tubing I1 is then released and this will cause the pins 35to shear, the packer body moving downwardly relav'tive to the liner 34as indicated in Figure rl and expanding the packer 3| and forming afluid tight seal between the liner and the casing I. The tubing I1 maythen be turned to the right to from the box member 24 thereof,simultaneously the lower end 45 of the wash pipe will turn the valve 42which is threaded through the partition 4I with left hand threads,causing said valve to be elevated to carry the ports 43 above thepartltion 4I to prevent the inflow of drilling fluid through said valveinto the screen and the tubing may be elevated as indicated in Figure'1. The sectional supporting slips 46, as shown in Figure 6, may then beinserted around the tubing on the seat 6 and a coupling 41 of the tubingthen landed on said slips to support the tubing in its elevated positionin the manner indicated in Figure 5. An annular packer 46a is embodiedin the slips to form a seal between the upper end of the tubing and theneck 5 of the head 4. The upper section Ila of the tubing I1 may then beunscrewed from the coupling 22 and removed and the valve 1 closed andthe bowl Il removed and a Christmas tree 43 then installed on the casingof the valve 1 as illustrated in Figure 5. The well is now in conditionto produce, if the internal pressure is suillcient to cause it to iiow.

The Christmas tree is equipped with a iiow line 4! which contains achoke 5l and which may be controlled by the valve 5I. i

Within the tubing I1 there is a specialV coupling 52 which isincorporated into the flow line and which forms a valve casingcontaining the annular seat 53 which is controlled by the downwardlyopening valve 54. This valve has an upstanding stem 55 which extends onup through and projects above the guide 56 on the seat 53. The valve 54is normally maintained open by gravity. If the well does not voluntarilystart flowing the ca p`51 may be removed from the Christmas tree and aswab lowered into the tubing and the tubing swabbed out to remove theliquid from it and to thus relieve the pressure on the producingformation and this will usually start the well to flowing.

It is desirable that the proper oil-gas ratio be maintained so as toobtain a maximum eiliciency of the gas pressure to expel the oil fromthe well. This is determined by the amount of submergence of the lowerend of the wash pipe I! into the oil of the well. The tubing I1 may beelevated or lowered, as explained, to obtain the best result.

When it is desired to shift the position of the tubing, that is toelevate or lower it, the valve 1 n may be closed and the cap 51 may beremoved and a stuffing box for a wire line substituted for the cap 51and a releasable grappling tool may be run by said line into the tubingand engaged with the stem 55 and the valve 54 thereby lifted into closedposition and the uid above inthe tubing being relieved through the flowline 49 the pressure of the liquid in the tubing beneath will hold saidvalve 54 closed. This will stop the outflow of oil from the well. Thegrappling tool may then be released from stem 55 and said tool and itsstuffing box then removed and a lift string of pipe may then beconnected into the coupling 41 and the tubing may be thereby manipulatedto elevate or lower the same. The string of tubing may be elevated and acoupling beneath landed on the slips 46 and that portion of the tubingabove broken out and removed, or if it be desired to lower the tubing,an additional section or` sections may be screwed on the upper endthereof and the tubing lowered to land the selected coupling on saidslips. The cap 51 may then be replaced and pressure applied through theline 49 to equalize the pressure above and beneath the valve 54 and saidvalve will drop by gravity into open position. This adjustment of thetubing may be made as the gas pressure, or liquid level in the wellvaries.

All of the operations hereinbefore described subsequent to the settingof the packer 3| may be carried on Without exposing the casing I to thepressure of the well and the pressure of the iluid flowing from the Wellwill be confined to the tubing by the liner packer 3| and the packers atthe upper and lower ends of the tubing hereinabove described to the endthat the casing set in the well will not be subjected to the constantpressure of the liquid flowing from the well.

The lower end 45 of the wash pipe is connected to the wash pipe by meansof the outside coupling 51. The upper end of this coupling and the lowerend of the tool joint section 24 have the interengaging clutch jaws 58,59vrespective1y. If it be desired to remove the tubing from the well theChristmas tree may be removed and a lift string connected to thecoupling 41 and the tubing elevated to clutch the jaws 58, 59 and uponrotation to the right the box member 24 of the tool joint will beunscrewed from the coupling 22 and the entire string of tubing includingthe wash pipe may be thereupon removed from the well.

While the well is producing should it become necessary to remove andreplace, or repair, any of the fittings of the Christmas tree or owtubes at the ground surface, the control valve 5I may be opened wider topermit an increase of flow and the increased velocity of the liquidfiowing through the tubing I1 will automatically lift and close thevalve 54 so as to stop the ow until the repairs have been made.Thereupon the pressure above and below the valve 54 may be equalized ashereinabove explained so that the valve 54 will drop by gravity intoopen position.

The drawings and description disclose what is now considered to be apreferred form of the invention by way of illustration only, while thebroad principle of the invention will be defined by the appended claims.

What I claim is;

l. Equipment for producing liquid, under pressure, from a wellcomprising a casing set in the well, a string of tubing in the casing, aseal between the tubing and the upper end of the casing, a packer body,means for attaching the body to the tubing, a liner suspended from thebody, a

packer on the body, the body being movable downwardly relative to theliner to expand the packer to form a seal between the liner and casing;said tubing having a tubular extension through the attaching means intothe liner andmeans forming a fluid tight seal between the packer bodyand said extension.

2. Equipment for a well comprising an outercasing set in the well, aninner tubular string in the casing comprising a liner and a ow tubingextended from the liner to the ground surface, a packing means on theliner adapted to be set by manipulation of the' tubing to form a uidtight joint between the liner and casing, an upper seal arranged to forma fluid tight joint between the tubing and casing, a lower seal arrangedto form a fluid tight joint between the tubing and said packing means,said tubing and upper and lower seals forming means to shield thecasing, between said seals, from the pressure of the liquid in the well.

3. Equipment for a well comprising an outer casing set in the well, aninner tubular string in the casing comprising a liner and a flow tubingextended from the liner to the ground surface, a packing means on theliner adapted to be set by manipulation of the tubing to form a fluidtight jointbetween the liner and casing, an upper seal arranged to forma fluid tight joint between the tubing and casing, a lower seal arrangedto form a uid tight joint between the tubing and said packing means,said tubing and upper and lower seals forming means to shield thecasing, be-

tween said seais, from the pressure of the liquid in the well, thetubing being arranged to be longitudinally adjustable while maintainingthe seals.

4-. Equipment for a well comprising an outer casing set in the well, aninner tubular string in the casing comprising a liner beneath thecasingand a flow tubing extended from the liner to the ground surface, packingmeans on the liner adapted to be set by manipulation of the tubing toform a fluid tight joint between the liner and casing, an upper sealarrangedto form a fluid tight joint between the tubing and casing, alower seal arranged to form a uid tight joint between the tubing andsaid packing means, said tubing and upper and lower seals forming meansto shield the casing, between said seals, from the pressure of theliquid inthe well, the tubing being arranged to be longitudinallyadjustable while maintaining the seals and a valve in the tubingnormally held open by gravity and adapted to be closed by the flow ofliquid through the tubing to stop the flow of liquid therethrough whileso adjusting the tubing.

5. In Well producing apparatus, a tubular string A adapted to be loweredinto a well and including 'a tubular packer body, a tubular liner, saidbody into the well and to close to prevent the upwardflow of uid fromthe well through the tubing.

6. Producing equipment for a well comprising an outer casing set in thewell, an inner tubular string in the casing comprising a liner withinand extended beneath the casing and a ow tube ex tending from the linerto the ground surface, a packer on the liner adapted to be set by manipulation of the tubing to form a uid tight joint between the liner andcasing, a seal at the upper end of the casing forming a fluid tightjoint between said tubing in the casing, a lower seal arranged to form auid tight joint between the tubing and packer, said tubing, upper andlower seals and packer forming means to shield the casing above thepacker from the pressure of the well liquid, the tubing and upper andlower seals being so arranged that the tubing may be longitudinallyadjusted and the seals maintained to exclude the pressure of the wellliquid from the casing above the packer while said adjustment is beingmade and a velocity valve in the tubing normally held open by gravitybut arranged to automatically close by an increase of the velocity ofthe liquid iiowing through. the tubing to stop such flow.

7. Producing equipment for a well comprising an outer casing set in thewell, an inner tubular y string in the casing comprising a liner withinand extended beneath the casing and a ow tube extending from the linerto the ground surface, a packer on the liner adapted to be set bymanipulation of the tubing to form a iiuid tight vjoint between theliner and casing, a seal at the upper end of the casing forming a uidtight joint between said tubing in the casing, a lower seal arranged toform a uid tight joint between the tubing and packer, said tubing, upperand lower seals and packer forming means to shield the casing above thepacker from the pressure of the well liquid, the tubing and upper andlower seals being so arranged that the tubing may be longitudinallyadjusted and the seals maintained to exclude the pressure of the Wellliquid from the casing above the packer while said adjustment is beingmade and a velocity valve in the tubing normally held open by gravitybut arranged to automatically close by an increase of 'the velocity ofthe liquid iiowing through the tubing to stop such ow, and means wherebysaid velocity valve may be manually closed from the ground surface.

8. Equipment for producing liquid, which under pressure, from a well andcomprising a casing set in the well, a tubing in the casing throughwhich the liquid may flow from' the producing stratum, a iiuid tightseal between the casing and tubing at the upper end thereof, a

aisasco num tight sea! between the tubing and casing adjacent the lowerend of the tubing, said tubing j and seals forming means for excludingthe liquid,

under pressure, from the casing between said seals and valve means inthe tubing, accessible from the ground surface, arranged to open topermit the ow of uid downwardly through the tubing and to close toprevent the iiow of fluid upwardly through the tubing.

9. Equipment for producing liquid, which is under pressure, from a wellcomprising a casing set in the well, a liner beneath the casing andwhose upper end extends up into the casing, a tubing in the casing whoselower end is arranged adjacent the upper end of the liner, sealing meansforming a fluid tight seal between the adjacent ends oi.' the liner andtubing and the surrounding casing and sealing means between the upperend of the casing and the upper end of the tubing, said tubing and sealsforming means for excluding the liquid, under pressure,

.from the casing.

10. Equipment for producing liquid, which is under pressure, from a wellcomprising a casing set in the well, a liner whose upper end is in thecasing, a tubing in the casing whose lower end is arranged adjacent theupper end of the liner, sealing means forming a fiuidtight seal betweenthe adjacent ends of the liner and tubing and the surrounding casing andsealing means' prevent the ow of fluid upwardly through the tubing.

11. Equipment for producing liquid, which is under pressure. from a welland comprising a casing set in the well, a tubing in the casing throughwhich the liquid may ilow from the producing stratum, a uid tight sealbetween the lcasing and tubing at the upper end thereof, a fluid tightseal between the tubing and casing adjacent the lower end thereof, saidtubing being adjustable longitudinally through the lower seal and saidlower seal and tubing being formed to maintain a fluid tight jointbetween them at all points of adjustment of the tubing relative to thelower seal, said tubing and seals forming means for excluding theliquid, under pressure, from the casing between the upper and lowerseals. l

WALTER L. CHURCH.

